Food Wars, My Dishes Don't Just Shine

Just like a steak that's been cooked a little too long, some people like it medium-rare or medium-well, while others prefer it well-done or even charred.

As a chef, you should know this very well.

Seeing Mito Ikumi's expression, Bai Yuan knew exactly what she was thinking, so he used steak as a starting point to give her an example.

"A medium-rare steak is slightly charred on the outside, tender and juicy on the inside, with a smooth texture and retaining the original flavor of beef. It is rich in juices and has a bright color. It is suitable for people who like a tender texture and can tolerate a little bit of blood."

A medium-rare steak has a distinctly charred exterior, a slightly firmer interior while still retaining some tenderness, and less juice—it falls between well-done and tender. It's suitable for those who prefer well-done meat but don't want to completely sacrifice tenderness.

Well-done steaks, or even steaks with some brown char, have a firm, slightly dry texture, a strong chewiness, and a slightly crispy outer layer.

Furthermore, due to the Maillard reaction, it also produces aroma compounds reminiscent of roasted meat, nuts, and coffee. The surface of the steak dehydrates and caramelizes into a golden-yellow color, while possessing a hard and crispy outer shell, creating a striking contrast with the soft meat inside.

In addition, the golden-brown caramelized layer further stimulates the appetite, fulfilling the color requirement of the dish.

At this point, even the slow-witted Mito Ikumi could tell something was amiss. The word "Shirobuchi Sho" was emphasized heavily, as if it were hinting at something.

"The hair dryer is in the drawer below."

Because she was too shy to respond to Bai Yuan, Mito Ikumi took the initiative to open the drawer under the coffee table and take out the hair dryer that was inside.

Bai Yuan was also efficient in his work. He picked up the hair dryer, adjusted it slightly, and then plugged it in to dry Mito Ikumi's hair.

This was not difficult for him; in fact, it was within his comfort zone.

After all, he's been the one who styled Alice Nakiri's hair since she was a child, and sometimes he even did the hair for Leonora Nakiri.

The image of that extremely voluptuous body with her back to him would appear in Bai Yuan's mind every time he faced a similar scene, even if he didn't actively think about it.

That person was truly remarkable!

"Teacher Baiyuan? Can we begin...?"

Seeing Bai Yuan deep in thought, Mito Yumi spoke up weakly. She didn't want to let all her efforts go to waste, since he had finally shown some interest in her.

"Turn around, hold onto the table and lean down, then put your hair up in a bun."

"??!"

"No, we've gone off-topic. Let's go back to our room."

Lost in thought, Bai Yuan was suddenly interrupted and instinctively blurted out his thoughts. He then realized something was wrong and his expression immediately turned awkward.

Mito Ikumi was somewhat confused. Her puzzled expression was genuine, as she had never experienced anything like that before.

Bai Yuan is a seasoned pro.

Seeing Mito Ikumi's incredibly youthful eyes, he didn't say much, but awkwardly moved his body, preparing to go back to his room to discuss it further.

Mito Ikumi readily agreed. She couldn't wait for Shiro to take her back to her room. If something could happen, it would be a huge win!

From Bai Yuan's words, she could tell that he didn't mind that she was a dark-skinned hot girl, and even seemed to like it a little.

Is it her imagination?

With a sense of unease, Mito Ikumi made small steps toward the room, and soon the two of them entered one after the other.

"Don't just stand there, sit down."

Bai Yuan took off his shoes and sat cross-legged on the bed to wait. Seeing that Mito Yumi was a little reserved, he patted the bed and gestured for her to sit in front of him.

"it is good."

Although she felt extremely ashamed, the opportunity she had been dreaming of was right in front of her, so Mito Ikumi couldn't care less about anything else and sat down with a slightly flushed face.

It's my own bed, and I've sat here countless times, but never before has my heart been racing like this.

Especially when she had her back to Bai Yuan, she could feel his breath brushing against the back of her neck, and that faint warmth gave her goosebumps!

"Teacher Bai Yuan, have you started?"

Because Bai Yuan hadn't made a move for a long time, Mito Ikumi's body tensed up involuntarily, and she finally couldn't help but ask the question.

"Well, here we come."

Seeing this, Bai Yuan found it quite amusing, but he didn't force her to watch him make a fool of himself. After saying that, he turned on the hair dryer.

A warm breeze blew from the hairdryer, and a large, warm hand gently stroked her head, causing Mito Ikumi to show an expression of enjoyment.

But she was worried that Bai Yuan would see her and think she was shameless, so she could only purse her lips and endure it.

Her round, full thighs were slightly crossed, leaving slight marks due to their plumpness. Mito Ikumi closed her eyes during this process, the heat behind her head making her body gradually feel hot.

A faint, pleasant scent filled the air, different from the previous one; it was a fragrance that evoked fantasies.

At that moment, her breath hitched slightly, her eyelashes trembled gently, and her heartbeat suddenly quickened.

This feeling is truly wonderful.

Mito Ikumi's ear tips turned slightly red, the skin on the back of her neck felt slightly hot, and she could even feel the throbbing of her veins.

At the same time, she unconsciously softened her breathing, afraid that Bai Yuan would notice her abnormality, yet she couldn't help but want to sniff a few more times.

Especially when his fingertips brushed against her neck, a subtle, electric-like sensation ran through Mito Ikumi's back, making her sit even straighter.

"Aren't we standing too close?"

Mito Ikumi's head was buzzing. She both hoped that Shirai would continue, after all, it was the opportunity she had been dreaming of, but she was also afraid that she would lose control.

The already intertwined thighs became even more tightly wrapped together, and this feeling was awful!

"The taste... is really addictive."

Like being enveloped in a warm, woody tone, with a hint of clean sweat.

Mito Ikumi couldn't contain herself and wanted to lean closer, even wanting to bury her face in Shiroyuki's collar and take a deep breath.

However, she quickly realized what was happening, and her face turned even redder, clearly feeling extremely embarrassed.

How could she have such thoughts? Doesn't that make her a shameless woman?!

Mito Ikumi was torn. She was a very innocent girl at heart, and she would never dare to mention such things.

"Where's Teacher Bai Yuan? Is he in the same situation as me...?"

Suddenly, this idea popped into Mito Ikumi's mind, and then she couldn't stop thinking about it.

As a woman with an exceptionally good figure, Mito Ikumi is very self-aware. Her stunning figure has attracted the attention of countless people, both men and women.

Now the two were only inches apart, and she could even feel the boy's warm breath...

There's no way the other person wouldn't have any feelings at all!

"This sight is truly incredible!"

Behind Mito Ikumi, Bai Yuan couldn't help but admire the magnificent figure beneath the loose clothing, especially the faintly visible leopard print, which amazed him.

He knew in his heart that although Mito Ikumi usually appeared very bold, she was actually a very reserved girl.

Now that she's wearing this lingerie and deliberately letting him see it in the living room, she must have something on her mind.

Considering the way the girl looked at him, it's really hard to guess what this guy is thinking.

"It feels so refreshing!"

Teacher Bai Yuan, I never knew you were such a skilled hairstylist! You're like a professional Tony!

While the girl was blow-drying her hair, her golden hair became exceptionally voluminous. Bai Yuan was very skilled; noticing a curling iron by the bedside, he styled Mito Ikumi's hair while blow-drying hers.

So much so that when Mito Ikumi saw herself in the mirror, she was stunned for a few seconds, somewhat unable to believe that the person in the mirror was herself.

"It mainly depends on whether the person is pretty. If the person isn't pretty, even if the hairstyle is perfect, it won't look good. You can't cook without rice."

Bai Yuan naturally praised him in response. People like to hear nice things, especially since what he said was true.

Mito Ikumi is indeed beautiful.

A dark wheat complexion might be a flaw for others, but on her, it's a definite advantage, giving her a unique, exotic look.

I think she would look cute when she cried.

Bai Yuan thought to himself with a somewhat malicious intent.

In my memory, Mito Ikumi's appearance was very wild, which now seems to be to hide her somewhat vulnerable nature.

The other person must have been very sensitive about their skin color since childhood.

To prevent others from gossiping, she had to put on a strong front, and over time she became the incredibly domineering Mito Ikumi.

"Beautiful...that's a bit of an exaggeration!"

Upon hearing Bai Yuan's description, Mito Yumi blushed terribly. In her memory, this was the first time she had ever been praised for her beauty.

When she was little, she was just like any other girl, she liked to wear princess dresses and pretty pink clothes.

But her father told her that as the only daughter of the Mito family and the future heir to the Mito Group, she had no need for something as useless as a dress.

So she had no choice but to abandon her beloved dresses, pick up a kitchen knife, and become a chef at Totsuki Culinary Academy, contributing to the continuation of the Mito Group.

"It's no exaggeration to say that slightly curled hair suits you very well and gives you a noble look."

Shiro's voice brought Mito Ikumi back to her senses. Looking at herself in the mirror, she thought of the vain girl she was when she was a child.

If her original style was a blend of sexiness and wildness, then now it has become flamboyant and confident.

This kind of beauty comes from within, and is even more captivating!

"Then... does Professor Bai Yuan like me like this?"

Seeing that Bai Yuan's attitude was serious and he didn't seem to be lying, Mito Ikumi clenched her fists, turned around to look at him nervously, and asked the question that had been buried for a long time.

Even though she knew that if she was rejected, there would be no future for the two of them, Mito Ikumi still couldn't help but ask, her eyes glistening with tears.

It turns out that when you love someone, you can really be so nervous that you cry when you confess your feelings.

"Actually, I've been watching you all along. You're straightforward, enthusiastic, and confident, but you also have a delicate side, and you handle people and things with a good balance."

If I were to describe you using a dish, you'd be like a perfectly seared Wagyu beef—sizzling hot on the outside, tender on the inside, incredibly tempting.

Despite having accepted confessions from so many girls, he was still struck by the intense sincerity in Mito Ikumi's eyes, which even hinted at a hint of fear.

Bai Yuan was still deeply moved.

This wasn't a programmed confession; all it took was for him to nod and it would be successful.

Instead, it was a girl's heartfelt thought that she mustered all her courage to say, fearing rejection and being disliked. Only by daring to face these fears could she say the word "like".

Bai Yuan had practically watched these girls grow up, and he knew their personalities, preferences, and even some of their little-known quirks very well.